Yeah, I figured out what you were saying. See my reply to Academian. But fictional evidence is still dangerous because it just represents the ideas of one person and ideals can be altered in service of story-telling.
Not utopian, but see Ishmael (link in my reply to Academian). Utopian literature is rare in general and extremely rare outside usual Sci-fi authors.
The most radical elements of movements tend to be the most creative/inventive (their willingness to depart from established ways is what makes them radical). Among moderates we usually find beliefs sympathetic to the status quo except where they have been influenced by the radical end (in this case deep environmentalists). In that sense calling deep environmentalists “the backbone” makes some sense though I’m not exactly sure what Thomas had in mind. I suspect moderates don’t think about the future or their utopia very much. Speculation about possible futures is something that generally characterizes a radical (with obvious exceptions, especially around these parts).
These are stories of a future where “wet” technology has replaced “hard”: silicon chips have given way to DNA strands, and the industrial high tech has been subsumed by environmental high tech. While all of these fine stories have been printed elsewhere, collected together they comprise a formidable and fascinating look at a future full of ectopias.
I mean it certainly sounds like there is a lot of eco-primitivism involved. But I’m going to go find a copy of “Bears Discover Fire” which sounds awesome.
Yes. Jack mentioned that one in this comment from this thread. From what I could gather through Amazon, it looks like it’s probably a strong example of anti-tech green utopian fiction.
Nonetheless, the vast majority of Green utopias that I’ve seen (which is not, I admit, a huge sample) are not anti-tech, but rather pro-Green tech. They tend to be very optimistic about the level of technology that can be supported with “renewable” energy sources and environmentally-friendly industries.
Yeah, I figured out what you were saying. See my reply to Academian. But fictional evidence is still dangerous because it just represents the ideas of one person and ideals can be altered in service of story-telling.
Not utopian, but see Ishmael (link in my reply to Academian). Utopian literature is rare in general and extremely rare outside usual Sci-fi authors.
The most radical elements of movements tend to be the most creative/inventive (their willingness to depart from established ways is what makes them radical). Among moderates we usually find beliefs sympathetic to the status quo except where they have been influenced by the radical end (in this case deep environmentalists). In that sense calling deep environmentalists “the backbone” makes some sense though I’m not exactly sure what Thomas had in mind. I suspect moderates don’t think about the future or their utopia very much. Speculation about possible futures is something that generally characterizes a radical (with obvious exceptions, especially around these parts).
Okay, then radical anti-tech utopian fiction should be well-represented, shouldn’t it?
Heh. That makes us both look pretty silly.
:) Fair point — the title of that anthology is “Future Primitive: The New Ecotopias”.
I haven’t read that book, but, if the reviews are any indication, I think that it is evidence for my point.
From the Amazon.com review:
I mean it certainly sounds like there is a lot of eco-primitivism involved. But I’m going to go find a copy of “Bears Discover Fire” which sounds awesome.
Apparently you can listen to an audio version of it for free here:
http://www.starshipsofa.com/20080514/aural-delights-no-25-terry-bission/
:)
Like this? I don’t know much about it besides what I’ve read in forum threads such as here, here and here, though.
Yes. Jack mentioned that one in this comment from this thread. From what I could gather through Amazon, it looks like it’s probably a strong example of anti-tech green utopian fiction.
Nonetheless, the vast majority of Green utopias that I’ve seen (which is not, I admit, a huge sample) are not anti-tech, but rather pro-Green tech. They tend to be very optimistic about the level of technology that can be supported with “renewable” energy sources and environmentally-friendly industries.
By (my) definition.